Nirvana Pillay is a sociologist and focuses her work on research, evaluation, capacity development, training, facilitation and materials development. She has experience working in projects that require interfacing closely with communities, government and civil society. Nirvana has worked at an implementation and evaluation level, and has experience with qualitative research practice through participatory-based methodologies. She is comfortable using systems thinking and an appreciative approach that draws on working with all relevant “systems in a room,” particularly important when working within multi-stakeholder forums. She was a contributing author to the book, Developing Capacity for Health: a Practical Guide, Heineman (2010).
Contact Nirvana on email: nirvana@sarraounia.org; skype: vananp
Nancy Coulson focuses her work in the areas of capacity development, training, materials development, communication, organisational and institutional change, evaluation, qualitative and case study research. Her extensive experience covers HIV and AIDS (especially support to vulnerable children), primary health care, health promotion, environmental health and mine occupational health and safety. She holds a M.Ed in Education for Primary Health Care and is completing a PhD through the School of Public Health at the University of Witwatersrand. She lives and works in South Africa and has work experience in Southern and West Africa.
Contact Nancy on email: nancy@sarraounia.org; skype: Nancycoulson
Dominique Mabaso is an independent consultant focusing on communication and development based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has over 20 years’ experience in managing organisations and projects in these fields, with the past 10 years a focus on health communication. Prior to working independently, Dominique co-founded a development communications company, Thuhlo Communications and later Thuhlo Consulting, which she managed for 7 years. She was instrumental in the development of a ground breaking South African response to health communication during her 8 years involvement in Khomanani, the Government’s HIV, AIDS, TB and STI communication campaign between 2002 and 2009. She has recently been involved in several assessments of health and education programmes. Dominique holds a Masters Degree in Communication Science from the University of Amsterdam.
Contact Dominique on email: dominique@thuhlo.co.za; skype: dominiqueluycks
Cheryl Goldstone is a medical doctor with extensive experience working in and managing primary health care services, developing district health services, health programme development, implementation monitoring and evaluation. She also worked in the private health sector as medical advisor & subsequently medical director of two multinational pharmaceutical companies. Her consulting experience includes situation analysis and resource mapping, programme review; capacity assessment and capacity development planning; programme monitoring, evaluation and support, programme management and impact assessment. Her particular interests are health systems strengthening and capacity development through coaching and mentoring. She is a contributing author to a book published by Heinemann entitled Developing Capacity for Health: A Practical Approach. Cheryl holds postgraduate qualifications in Child Health, Infectious Diseases (Tropical Medicine & Hygiene), Public Health & Health Services Management.
Contact Cheryl on email: cgoldstone@publichealthagency.co.za; skype: cherylgoldstone